A reading of Anglican priest Robert Hawker’s (1753–1827) morning devotional writings from “The Poor Man’s Morning and Evening Portion.”
The music for this reading is “Great Egret” by Chad Crouch and was adapted for length under a Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC 4.0).
That ye may be able to comprehend, with all saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge.—Ephes. 3:18-19.
Did Paul pray that the church might he thus blessed? So should all faithful pastors. And there is enough in Jesus to call up the everlasting contemplation of his people. All the dimensions of divine glory are in Jesus. Who, indeed, shall describe the extent of that love which passeth knowledge? But, my soul, pause aver the account. What is the breadth of it? Jesus’s death reaches in efficacy to all his seed—all his children: to thee, my soul; for thou art the seed of Jesus. And though that death took place at Jerusalem near 2000 years since, yet the efficacy of his blood, as from an high altar, as effectually washes away sin now, as in the moment it was shed. Remember, Jesus still wears the vesture dipped in blood. Remember, Jesus still appears as the Lamb slain before God! Indeed, indeed, Jesus was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. So that, in breadth , it is broader than the sea, taking in all the seed of Jesus, through all ages, all dispensations, all the various orders of his people. Neither is the length of it less proportioned. Who shall circumscribe the Father’s love, which is from everlasting to everlasting? Who shall limit Jesus’s grace? Is he not made of God wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption? Is he not all this, in every office, every character, every relation? “Jesus Christ; the same yesterday, and today, and for ever!” And what is the depth of this love, but reaching down to hell, to lift up our poor fallen nature? And what is the height , but Jesus, in our nature, exalted far above all principalities, and powers, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come? Precious God of my salvation! O give me to see, to know, to entertain* and cherish, more enlarged views of this love, which hath no bottom, no bounds, no shore; but, like its Almighty Author, is from everlasting to everlasting. Shall I ever despond? Shall I ever doubt any more, when this Jesus looks upon me, loves me, washes me in his blood, feeds me, clothes me, and hath promised to bring me to glory? Oh! for faith to comprehend, with all saints, this love of God, which passeth knowledge.
